This morning, former Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr Fred Matiang’i broke his silence on Kameme TV in a candid and cautionary interview. Addressing the recent political tensions and his sudden withdrawal from a planned Mount Kenya tour, Matiang’i made it clear that the country is treading dangerous ground when politics is allowed to override law, order, and reason.

Speaking during the popular Arahuka Show, he revealed that his tour was cancelled after receiving credible intelligence that goons had been hired to disrupt his meetings.

“I cancelled the tour after I was informed there were hired goons mobilised to disrupt the gatherings,” he stated.“This wasn’t just hearsay. It was from credible security sources.”

Dr Matiang’i pointed an accusing finger at elements within the government, saying such operations could not happen without insider support or deliberate silence from the very systems meant to protect citizens.

“There’s no way this can happen without some people in government knowing. I’ve been there. I know how it works.”

Drawing from his experience in the security docket, he expressed concern that Kenya’s intelligence capacity is being misused—or worse, weaponized for politics.

“Our intelligence agencies are among the best. If they are not acting, it’s because they are being suppressed or misdirected.”

He also dismissed President Ruto’s recent claims that opposition leaders were behind recent protests and unrest, challenging the Head of State to stop making blanket accusations and instead follow legal channels.

“If you know who is behind the violence, name them. Arrest them. You are the president. You don’t need to play victim at public rallies.”

Matiang’i warned against the criminalisation of dissent and the use of state institutions to intimidate critics. He argued that Kenya’s hard-earned democratic space must not be undermined by fear and propaganda.

“It’s wrong to use the police or intelligence to scare people who don’t agree with you. That’s not leadership. That’s fear.”

He reminded Kenyans not to be distracted by political theatrics, urging them to keep their focus on issues that directly affect their lives, such as the economy, healthcare, education, and job creation.

“They want you to keep talking about chaos and noise while hospitals are collapsing, unga is expensive, and young people are jobless.”

Matiang’i ended the interview with a sober reminder to both the government and citizens that constitutional freedoms must be respected, and political competition should never lead to intimidation or violence.

“This country belongs to all of us. No one should be silenced or harassed for thinking differently. We must protect our freedom to speak, to gather, and to challenge power peacefully.”